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🇬🇧 UKSOC 5225· Skilled Metal, Electrical and Electronic Trades

Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers

Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers install, service and repair air-conditioning and refrigeration systems in factories, offices, shops and homes.

Air conditioning engineerAir conditioning fitterRefrigeration engineerRefrigeration technicianService engineer (refrigeration)
£41,166
median salary
£36,608 –
12,500
currently employed
16,017
projected 2035
Declining
6 tasks scored1 AI Automates1 AI Assists4 Human-Led

Task Bundle Breakdown

How AI interacts with this occupation's task bundle

17%
17%
66%
17%
AI automates
17%
AI assists
66%
Human-led

Task-by-Task Breakdown

Every task scored individually — sorted highest to lowest AI exposure

78

produces detailed estimate of costs of the work

AI Automates

AI estimating software like Buildxact or PlanSwift can automatically generate detailed cost estimates from plans, material databases, and labour rates with minimal manual input.

56

plans layout of the system (pipework, ducts and control panels)

AI Assists

AI-powered CAD tools like AutoCAD with AI plugins or Autodesk Revit can suggest optimal duct and pipework layouts based on building dimensions and load calculations.

33

carries our maintenance checks and repairs

Human-Led

AI-powered predictive maintenance platforms like IBM Maximo can flag when servicing is due based on sensor data, but hands-on repair and fault diagnosis still require skilled human judgement.

22

examines the proposed site to establish if installation plans are practical

Human-Led

AI cannot physically visit a site, but tools like Matterport or photo-based AI analysis could assist with remote preliminary assessments from images or floor plans.

22

plans work schedule and installs the system

Human-Led

AI scheduling tools like Microsoft Copilot can assist with planning work order sequences, but the physical installation requires skilled hands-on labour AI cannot replace.

22

inspects and tests the installation

Human-Led

AI-connected diagnostic sensors can flag anomalies in readings, but physical inspection, pressure testing, and safety sign-off require a qualified engineer on-site.

ROI Calculator

Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers

8.8hrs
saved per week
420hrs
per year ≈ 11.2 weeks
£9,605
salary-equivalent capacity freed per year

This is not a pay rise — it's 420 hours of productive capacity that AI could return to you, valued at your current rate.

£13,722
value at risk — 33% of role exposed to AI

The portion of your current salary tied to tasks AI can automate or augment. Not a prediction of job loss — a signal of where your role is changing fastest.

How is this calculated?▾

Task weights — each task is weighted by its O*NET frequency rating. Where frequency data is absent, equal weighting is applied.

AI time reduction — tasks scored as "AI Automates" assume 80% time saving; "AI Assists" assumes 40%; "Human-Led" assumes 5%.

Salary equivalent — annual hours saved × (salary ÷ 1,800 working hours/year).

Value at risk — salary × share of role time in AI-automate or AI-assist tasks.

Figures are indicative estimates for planning purposes, not guarantees of productivity gain or job loss risk.